Understanding the impacts of Mobile technology on smallholder agriculture.

Abstract

This chapter presents the case of how information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly mobile phones, impact agricultural development by facilitating step-wise changes in smallholder farmers' information and agriculture practices in rural Ghana. The study shows how mobile phones introduced among smallholder farmers create 'hybrid' information practices that are consistent with both existing cultural-historical norms around farming and ICT use (a smallholder logic) and with policy imperatives aimed at re-casting farming 'as a business' and promoting value-chain integration through ICT (a value chain logic). Additionally, the study observes how actors in rural agriculture and agriculture partners are able to leverage 'hybrid' practices in advancing their value chain agenda. In designing interventions, these actors put forward 'hybrid' approaches, combining technologies, which align with the rural oral tradition with ones that correspond to contemporary business norms (e.g., mobile phones).

How have smallholder farmers used digital extension tools? Developer and user voices from Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia

“…For example, pastoralists in Ethiopia placed their mobile phones on high objects to access weak mobile networks ( Debsu et al, 2016 ). Numerous other studies observed users making DETs useful ( Karubanga et al, 2019 ; Karanasios et al, 2018 ; Maredia et al, 2018 ; Gandhi et al, 2007 ). For example, farmers in Gujarat leveraged a voice-based agronomy forum to improve social status, entertain guests, share poetry and jokes, keep awake while irrigating and develop off-farm businesses ( Patel et al, 2010 ).…”

How do development actors do “ICT for development”? A strategy‐as‐practice perspective on emerging practices in Ghanaian agriculture

“…Sources: Aker (), Armstrong et al (), Courtois and Subervie (), Fafchamps (), Karanasios and Slavova (), Lyon (), Noman et al (), Slavova and Karanasios (), World Bank ().…”